Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18
.II d B "a, Sill SK.
a STORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAPTER Xxvx.
ON TIE TRACK.

Faster and faster the train went on,
my baflod pursuers gesticulat-
ing ia impotent rage and confusion up
on the bridge, which they had regarded
rs tho certain trap for my life. ! had
fallen, fortunately, upon q truck which
was laden with some comp lively soft
goods dulles Of some sort, I judged
and the tarpaulin covering which
was stretched over them served
TO break in some measure the
force Of my fall. was safe-free!
The exquisit sense Of relief which this
reflection brought with it was checked
almost simultaneously by the thought
Of tho terrible difficulties which inter-
posed to hinder the release Of Mary
from the clutches OF Plowitz. AL ]
knew was that he was ostensibly going
to Pyrmont. But was that likely to be
truep Why should I believe what the
Basilisk had told mep To be sure, she
had no idea then that I should so soon
be at liberty. It was possible, there
fore, that, with taste for the in1ictiol
Of fine torture, she had given me the
real destination of the travellers, enjoy
ing the helplessness which she believed
would render the knowledge Of no
avail to me. Yes. it was at least highly
probable that they really were bound
for Pyrmont, and this thought cheered
me and heartened me again. %
1now had time to reflect upon my
own position. However desperate my
previous plight, the sense of safety
brought with it the thought of the ordi-
nary everyday world to which I was
returning, and remembered that if I
were discovered by the railway authori-
ties, delay, inquiries, and publicity
would in all likelihood ensue. These l
was anxious to avoid. Nor did I relish
the idea of appearing the centre of a
critical crowd of porters and laborers,
in my present guise--in evening-dress
and without hat. We were approach
ing station. The signals gave
the line clear, and we ran
through at fair pace. could see the
name on the lamps of the platform, and
this brought back to my mind the one
obvious haven of immediate refuge, if
I could escape from the train unobserv-
ed. the safe reference to avoid delay if
were discovered st. Bartimeus' 8 Home,
and DR.. Shaw. The station T recog-
Missed by name as being one from which
visitors used often to come to the Home
on the occasion of our concerts.
As I ran my plans over, the engine
gave loud whistle, and almost imme-
diately the train slackened speed. ]
looked ahead, and saw the red lamp on
near signal post fixed against us.
Would the train stopp No. The
color changed, and, with short
whistle as if of acknowledgment,
the engine began to puff heavily again.
A station was close ahead. Again we
slackened. The signal there was
against us. There were numerous lights
of houses and lamps to be seen around.
We were we'll in the inhabited region
| Of the northwestern suburbs. If the
train slackoned sufficiently to enable
me to descend with safety I resolved te
attempt it. This time there was no re.
lenting i'll the glare of the red eye that
was stopping our progress. Slower anc
slower got the pace. locked heed
fully about. No one was in sight ex,
cept at some distance in front, on the
station-platform. l dropped from the
truck, and keeping under cover
managed to reach the side o.
the line unobserved. Walking {
little distance. 1 came to prac
ticable gap IN the hedge which lined the
railway, and stood at last upon thu
road. At some little distance saw thu
entrance to the station and, to my
great relief, discovered several cab.
waiting. Brushing myself as well as
could, to remove some of the most evi
dent traces of my recent adventures,
went along the road and gained til,
portico of the station unobserved.
My shout of .'Hansom!' and my ap
pearance seemed to cause considerabl,
establishment to the two drivers who
not expecting any fare till the arriva
of the train which they were awaiting
were engaged in an engrossing CONVEX
sation with two or three friends in front o
tho brightly lighted station hotel OF
the other side of tho way. M,
condition, however, was no concern o